Convict ‘disappears’ from Kingstown Magistrate’s Court undetected
THE SENIOR MAGISTRATE, prisoners, lawyers, prosecutors, police officers and members of the public enter and exit the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court through one door. However, despite the media being stationed at the door for approximately two hours, Keon Peters had found a way to exit the building without being detected.
Peters, 37, appeared at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court Last Friday, January 30, 2026 where he pleaded guilty to wounding Elron Lewis, a 35-yearold sports administrator of Troumaca.
Peters was ordered to compensate Lewis a total of $5,000, and was also sentenced to 24 months in prison, suspended for 18 months.
After the court was adjourned, staff went back to their offices; Senior Magistrate Tammika Mckenzie, returned to her desk in chambers; and the police officers left the court to head back to their duties at the Police Headquarters.
But, much like other people who come into conflict with the law and are reluctant to be photographed, Peters lingered in the waiting area for over an hour, while another male kept him company.
However, that male eventually left Peters behind in the waiting area after pacing in and out of the building. More time passed and a worker attached to the Serious Offences Court later went to the Magistrate’s Court, peered inside the building, then informed members of the media that there was no one inside.
The media practitioners, who did not see Peters leave the building through the main entrance, inspected the bathroom, the corridor and the courtroom but there was no sight of him.
After the matter was raised with Senior Magistrate Mckenzie the following day, she told the media that she did not have any details on how Peters exited the building as she would have already returned to her desk in chambers after the court adjourned.
However, she outlined that there are three points of entry and exit in the court. The first is the main entrance that is located to the front of the court, the second is located inside the courtroom itself where judicial proceedings are conducted.
However, the Senior Magistrate said that she does not have the key to that door, nor has she ever seen that door being opened. Police officers attached to the court also said the same.
Mckenzie said that the third exit door is located inside a room where a sign that reads, “No unauthorised exit or entry” is emblazoned on the front of the other door.
SEARCHLIGHT understands that this room is occupied by the Magistrate’s Clerk and the office attendant, and is also used by the cleaner to dispose of garbage.
After welcoming the media inside her chambers to show that there is no point of entry and exit located inside, Mckenzie said that she was unable to provide any other substantial information on the matter.
After further inquiries were made, SEARCHLIGHT reviewed CCTV footage of the main entrance from
the moment media personnel left the court to when the last worker left the building.
Some of the identifiable people who were caught on footage included the Senior Magistrate, her security officer and other court personnel.
Those who were unidentifiable were either short in stature, plump in shape or wore bright clothing. Though these features are adjustable, they are a mismatch to Peters, who is a tall and slim male, who sported dark-coloured clothing when he appeared in court.
The matter was also drawn to the attention of Chief Magistrate, Colin John, and he conducted his own investigation into the matter, but was also unable to ascertain how Peters had left the court.
This is not the first time a situation like this has occurred. In June 2024, a Barrouallie teenager managed to exit the court without using any of the main doors.
Like Peters, the teenager lingered inside the waiting area for an extended period. Some time later, a worker attached to the court came outside and informed the media that the man was gone, despite never exiting through the main public entrance.
The worker further pointed in the direction of the Girl Guides Association’s Headquarters stating, “look the man going there”. However, there was no one in sight.
Comments
